ABSTRACT
The primary organism, in so far as it is initially determined as im mediate or im p lic it , is not a l i v i n g e x iste n c e , for as subject
and process, life is essentially a se lf-m ed iatin g activity. Regarded
from the standpoint o f subjective life, the first moment o f p a r -
5 tic u la r iz a tio n is that the organism converts itself into its own
p re su p p o sitio n , and so assumes the mode o f im m e d ia c y ,
in which it co n fro n ts itself with its condition and outer sub
sistence. The inward r e c o lle c tio n o f the Idea o f nature as sub
jective life, and still more as spiritual life, is b a s ic a lly d iv id e d
10 between itself and this unprocessive immediacy. This im m e d ia te
t o t a l i t y p r e s u p p o s e d b y su b jective t o t a l i t y , is s im p ly th e
shape o f th e o r g a n is m ; as the u n iv e r sa l system o f individual
bodies, it is the te rre stria l b o d y .
